Myths and Lies of Ithyion

The Lost Kingdom Saga

by Laura Carter

This collection of prequel stories should be read after Return of the Darkness and before Truth of the Light. It is a part of the main series and reading it elsewhere would cause spoilers or confusion.

ASYNTHOS’ Commander & escaped prisoner

THASSENA’S prophesised seer & academic

ERESYDON’s Queen & unstable King

Q’OHAR’s New princess & guard

In a battle of who can recover the love of their life first, a Goddess and a man lost to darkness are forced to confront that their paths of fate are intertwined. As they use all the celestial power at their disposal, four couples become collateral damage when living without love is not an option.

But love is not always the happy ending people deserve and these unknowing victims in Ithyion will soon realise that sometimes the greatest act of love, is to sacrifice it all. But how many times can a Goddess and a man repeat their failures and inflict the pain of past lives on other unwilling souls?

Genres: Fantasy

480 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2025

About the author

Laura grew up in rural Scotland before moving to London to study for her degree in English Literature, where she lived for ten years before moving back to the countryside with her Romanian rescue dog, Rez. She grew up constantly immersed in different worlds through reading and always dreamed of becoming an author. When her love of fantasy and romance was re-ignited after three years of only ever critically analysing work, her dream of creating her own worlds returned. She now balances working full time for a cancer charity with writing her debut series, The Lost Kingdom Saga.

Reviews

[Maia McPherson]

Wow! This is the best novella/middle book I have ever read. The way Laura wrote each character’s story was remarkable and she made me fall in love with them all in such a short period of time. The details, the world building, the emotions, I adored it all. I’m always left wanting more. I am heartbroken to leave some of the characters in this book behind and even a villain or two.

This is a must read for any fantasy/romantasy lovers of multiple POVs, magic, stories over different time periods and love destined for disaster.

[Christinatoni]

the way that Laura writes will always be addictive.
The way I connected to every character in the story in such small amounts of time is amazing. I am not prepared for the pain the reread will cause me 🩷seriously 100/5 wth 🤯🥹

[Sammie]

What Laura writes, I just eat up. The way she tells her stories is addicting and I am always left wanting more. I am obsessed with this series and will be distraught when it ends.

This book of short stories sets the back story of the God's, deities, and Novisia. It was the book I didn't know I needed, and despite having read books 1 through 3, so am aware of what has happened and who is in what, I still had a little "Oh no" moment when a certain someone was going to be invited to document a new land. If you've read this, you'll know.

I can't wait for Truth of the Light now. I have so many questions that need answers although, in true Laura fashion, I imagine I will be left with even more questions when I finish that book too!

[Meg]

Okay I need Truth of the Light like right now!!

[elentiya]

this girl OVERDELIEVERS every. single. time. honestly - the first surprise was the book itself - not a word did she whisper, and normally i sign up to all her arcs just because i love her writing so so much! i am so glad that i managed to grab a copy and i have FINALLY finished it (it did take me a while). short stories that expand over thousands of years, and they all have the same goal. It's honestly so interesting to see how much we missed (actually crazy), however i will say there was SO much i'm definitely going to need to reread the whole series and then piece everything together

[Jenny Atack]

I went into this book, excited ofcourse, but also thinking it would be a nice little addition to the series, a breather, a world building backstory book. BUT NO! Somehow in a book of short stories, each story managed to make fall in the love with the each character and then shatter my heart into a million pieces!!

Lauras writing is spectacular and holds a serious amount of emotion and the attention to detail she has throughout the whole series is incredible! I cannot wait (although i’m terrified for my heart) for Truth of the Light in March😍

Masterpiece!🤌🏼
⭐️♾️

[ink and irises]

Myths and Lies of Ithyion Review - Little to No Spoiler Review;

🤍 8 Short Stories
🤍 Rating: 5/5
🤍 Genre: Fantasy
🤍 Multiple POV, Third Person
🤍 Spin Off - The Lost Kingdom

"Rage looks beautiful on you"

This review will contain minor spoilers for Return of the Darkness, although this is a prequel and ends before Secrets of the Dead, it's recommended you read it after RotD (book three) but before TotL (book four) just to save yourself some spoilers and confusion!

-

Well - what a secret this one has been to keep! Firstly thank you Laura for trusting me with keeping this one a secret, I am so proud of you for not writing one but TWO books at the same time. Your brain is absolutely magnificent and I can't wait for people to read this masterpiece.

As we know by the end of RotD the world is not what it seems and it is about to get a whole lot bigger, the realms we thought we knew actually weren't and there was more?! We were introduced to 8 different characters in Elisara's dreams who all had celestial ties and we were shown how their stories ended. Laura being the absolute overachiever she is (and I mean that in the best way possible cause me too girl) said hey - here's all their origin stories in a book!

The short stories include;

🤍 Asynthos's Commander & Escaped Prisoner - Olirah & Jessemiah
🤍 Thassena's Prophesied Seer & Academic - Levanna & Kai
🤍 Eresydon's Queen & Unstable King - Aleya & Evander
🤍 Q'Ohar's New Princess & Guard - Varlena & Hamzah

We also learn a little more about the creation of the world, see some characters we have heard a lot about and get a glimpse into the other states of Ithyion - Xyliar and Carvyre. Each story battles love and loss, sacrifice's have to be made to help the Kingdom, but there is always a cost - sadly not all love stories have a happy ending. When reading RotD I was so intrigued by all these characters, especially because they mirrored those in our current world of Novisia. Reading a book about love and fate when you know how the stories end was a very weird feeling because I was sat their absolutely rooting for the happy ending even though I knew it wouldn't come - PAINFUL! Laura made me fall in love with them all and getting to know them more just made their stories even more heartbreaking, they had to be collateral damage in this world but in another world/lifetime I'm cheering them all on for their happy endings. Laura manages to make me feel so many different emotions when reading her books, I was angry, happy, laughing and crying all in such a short space of time.

"When a person spends their entire life in darkness, it's hard to imagine anything different"

It's hard to choose a favourite but each time I got onto a new story I said "wait no this is my favourite" HOWEVER if I was going off gut reaction it would be Q'Ohar first following by Thassena, Eresydon and Asynthos but it's honestly like asking me to choose a favourite child (dare I say Xyliar's backstory is up there too - wait what? Read it and find out I guess..)

We also get 7 new maps so it is super easy to know exactly where you are when reading each story, along with a "family tree" so you can ssee the lineage of all characters we meet and how they related to our current characters. There is also a history of Ithyion graph too and of course the usual pronunciation guide and glossary!

I want people do go into this completely raw like me however if you want to know a few tropes/key features for the stories then I'll pop a list below however I won't tell you which state or couple they relate too..

🤍 Forbidden Love
🤍 LGBTQ+ Representation
🤍 Rivals to Lovers
🤍 Fated Souls
🤍 Friends to Lovers
🤍 Yearning
🤍 Celestial Ties
🤍 Darkness

Trigger Warnings: death, violence, explicit sexual content, references to child abuse, self harm, not graphic but on page sexual assault and rape - please read with caution and this book is aimed at 18+ readers.

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Words will never do Laura's books justice, the world she has created is absolutely magnificent and it is such an honour to be on this journey with her not only as a friend but as a supporter too. I am so excited for the next instalment in The Lost Kingdom Saga! So proud of you always Laura 🤍

P.S I will probably keep adding to this review as I've got so much more to say they are just a bit too spoilery!!

[Katie Ryan]

I went into this fully convinced I was going to struggle because it’s short stories instead of a continuation of the main plot… WRONG. Hooked immediately. No warm-up, no mercy, just straight into chaos.
VALON??? I really liked him and now you’re telling me he’s CALIGH?!?!? HUH???? I don’t know how to feel. Am I allowed to still like him or is that morally questionable now?? Someone guide me because I am spiralling 😭 And don’t even get me started on Osiris just casually being here like sir?? What are YOU doing in this narrative??
And Valon… yeah. My heart? Destroyed. Obliterated. Gone. Thanks for that.
Also—new characters every story??? My short-term memory is fighting for its LIFE. But somehow I wasn’t as lost as I expected?? Which feels like a miracle. And some of them have absolutely embedded themselves into my soul—Olirah and Jessemiah, I would die for you both, no questions asked 😭❤️
I actually loved getting all this history on Ithyion. Seeing the past, understanding how Caligh came to be… it adds SO much depth and makes everything hurt even more in hindsight. Love that for me.
Sitara… girl… are you bad or am I being paranoid??? I don’t trust anyone anymore.
Levanna 🥹 you deserved better, I said what I said.
And WHY is there not a single happy love story in sight??? Not ONE crumb of joy??? Just pain, suffering, and emotional damage being handed out like freebies.
By the end I’m just sat there like wow. I have absorbed a ridiculous amount of lore. My brain is full. I need a debrief. Send help immediately.

[Ishani Guha-Shepherd]

4 🌟
Myths and Lies of Ithyion is a fascinating addition to The Lost Kingdom Saga, and much more than a collection of side stories. It expands the mythology behind the series while finally peeling back the layers surrounding the gods, celestial connections, Caligh, and the history of Ithyion.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the stories of Olirah & Jessemiah, Levanna & Kai, Aleya & Evander, and Varlena & Hamzah unfold. There’s a recurring tragedy to these relationships—love constantly colliding with duty, destiny and forces far beyond the characters’ control. Knowing where some of these stories ultimately lead makes them even more heartbreaking.
The biggest strength is the world-building. The connections between different kingdoms, characters and eras make the events of Return of the Darkness feel much larger in retrospect. The revelations surrounding Valon/Caligh were especially intriguing and add another layer to an already complicated mythology.
That said, this is definitely a lore-heavy bridge book. With multiple timelines, characters and interconnected stories, it can occasionally feel overwhelming, and some sections don't carry the same emotional weight as others.
Still, by the end, the picture of Ithyion feels considerably bigger—and considerably darker. This isn't just filler between books; it's a book that genuinely changes how you look at the saga that came before it.
Overall: A fascinating, tragic and mythology-heavy companion that sets the stage beautifully for Truth of the Light.

[ani harding]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)

​Well, thanks a lot, Laura Carter. I picked up Myth and Lies of Ithion expecting a perfectly civilised fantasy read, and instead, I’ve been handed a proper emotional wallop and a mild existential crisis.

​Honestly, it’s ridiculously clever. The story is so crammed with eye-opening aha! moments that I spent half my time staring at the ceiling, muttering, “Oh, you sneaky devil.” Just when you think you’ve got a handle on where the plot is sauntering off to, Carter casually yanks the rug out, breaks your heart into a dozen tiny pieces, and leaves you sitting in the emotional ruins.

​Thank absolute goodness for the reference bits at the front, though. The maps, family trees, and timeline weren't just lovely extras—they were my literal survival kit. Without that family tree to cling to, I’d have needed a corkboard and three miles of red string in my living room just to keep track of who was betraying whom.

​My only real grievance? I’ve turned the final page and somehow ended up with about seventy-two more questions than I started with. I feel thoroughly played, completely heartbroken, and utterly obsessed. Half a star docked purely for the sheer audacity of leaving my brain in knots like this.

​An absolute triumph. Just don't expect to come out of it unspotted by drama.

[Beccy]

“Perhaps you are my compass, the only thing I need to navigate this life.”

Myths and Lies of Ithyion by Laura Carter 🌙☀️🌅

My favourite in the series so far, this book is very different to the others in the series as it’s comprised of several short stories. However it’s an essential component in order to understand a lot of the driving forces for our characters (and gods!). Plus I love getting some good lore/back story!

One of the aspects I love about Laura’s writing is the emotional depth of her characters - the way she can make you fall in love with characters with only an 11 chapter short story feels effortless. Each story is equally as heartbreaking, but the familiar thread of fate and celestial ties is still unique and extremely well executed each time. Also just listened to some of the playlists for each story and I’m crying again 😭

Cannot wait for book 4! I was fortunate enough to recover this beautiful surprise ARC package, Laura surprises me every time and I’m forever grateful!

[Jessica Ogram]

I love the depth and backstory this book added to help us understand previous and future books in the series. I’m not usually a short story person but I thoroughly enjoyed this one so that shows good writing from the author. It was heartbreaking (as I’ve come to expect and secretly enjoy from Laura Carter), informative and driven. I do wish I felt more during the negative moments but I am hard to move so I don’t fold that against anyone but myself. I look forward to reading her future books with this added depth.

[Chloe Cherrington]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really loved Myths and Lies of Ithyion! 🥰 It was so interesting getting to dive deeper into the world and learn more about the characters and their magic. I especially loved that it explained the history behind the magic and where it all came from, as it gave me a much better understanding of the characters and the series as a whole.
Such a fun little addition to the series, and definitely one I’d recommend to anyone who’s already a fan! 📚✨

[Becca-Lou]

This took a while for me to get into. I have loved this series so far and the more I read of this book the I understood the need for it. A collection of novellas that had the same overriding story but now I understand why. At times I felt like I just wanted to get through it which is why it’s only 3 stars. I know I’ll love the rest of the series when I get to it.

[Charlie Quarmby]

The way that these short stories captured me in every moment, there are certainly some characters that will stick with me whilst i continue in the lost kingdom saga

Laura you have done it again and I am amazed at your talent this was beautifully written

[Hayley Tomkins]

wow, Laura has done it again. This book answers so many questions but also leaves a lot to be told. This book was amazing and leaves me needing the next book. The world and history Laura has created is beyond compression. Its beautiful, deep and complex. I am obsessed with it.

[Rachel]

Myths and Lies of Ithyion had me hooked. Great world building, with characters whose stories I cared about, and plenty of twists. Just when you think you know what’s going on nope. You don’t 😂 A really solid fantasy read and an easy recommendation from me ❤️

[Emily Pollitt]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is definitely necessary to understand the darkness that was introduced in the earlier books. I did find myself getting confused if i put the book down for a day, due to alot of characters and remembering whats what, but it was easy to pick back up on again.

[Katherine Denning]

Laura never disappoints and this book was so amazing, I love this series! 🫶

[KittMyth]

Probably the best Novella and one of my favourite books of the year! I fell in love with every character in this collection of stories and have re-read Asynthos 3 times!

[Hannah]

Once again Laura you have amazed me. I have loved connecting with the past… and gaining a deeper understanding of your world 🖤 I can’t wait for TotL 💜

[Sian Gathergood]

Lots of answers
Lots of questions
Lots of Easter Eggs
Lots of heartbreak.

The PERFECT in-between book.

[Taylor]

Lol dont get attached to anyone 🙃

[Riley Madison]

Laura is truly a masterclass writer in world building and plot details!

If you think there will ever be a stone left unturned or a question left unanswered in this series, you will respectfully be incorrect! Laura truly is so insanely detail oriented when it comes to this world and the stories within it. This collection of short stories takes the world of Ithyion and dives deeper into it in a way that I never thought could happen but somehow Laura managed to pull it off!

If you haven’t checked out this series and you love fantasy you are truly doing a disservice to yourself!! Laura is a masterclass fantasy writer and everything she touches is absolute GOLD! I can’t recommend this series enough!

Thank you Laura for allowing me to continue to support you and this series🤍